Sugar Wise: How Fruits Stack Up

We all know that too much sugar can have some seriously negative effects on our health, but what's the deal with fruit? Strawberries, bananas, oranges, kiwi… the list goes on and on. Fruit is touted as a super-healthy snack option, but while the fiber and other nutrients found in fruit are a great part of any diet, many varieties can also be very high in sugar. Does this mean run from the produce aisle screaming? Definitely not. But it might be smart to keep an eye on fruit-based sugar consumption

Can Fruit Make You Fat?

For men and women ages 19 to 30, the USDA recommends two cups of fruit per day. But if you're concerned about your sugar consumption (added or natural), different fruits might stack up more sweetness than you think. Just two cups of sliced bananas adds up to the maximum recommended amount, clocking in at 36 grams of sugar.

If you're sugar-conscious, here's a closer look at how each fruit stacks up in terms of the (natural, not added) sweet stuff.

The important thing to remember: Too many calories from anything, including fruit, can lead to weight gain and other negative health effects. While the USDA recommends the average person stick to about two cups of fruit per day, it’s best to stick with fresh or frozen. Beware of packaged or canned fruit and fruit juices, which can have high amounts of sugar, even if the package says “light syrup” (one container of applesauce has only 100 calories, but packs in 23 grams of sugar!).